He has been plagued by injury for much of that time and even had a hamstring scare in the build-up to last Friday night's trial match against the Melbourne Rebels at Ballymore, but was passed fit to come on as a replacement in the centres.

Toua started for the Reds at full-back against the Hurricanes last year and was also used at outside centre by former Reds head coach Ewen McKenzie against the Brumbies in the corresponding match 12 months ago.

The Churchie product feels more suited to playing at the back and is determined to reward the faith shown by McKenzie's replacement Richard Graham.

"Full-back is where I played all my school rugby and the majority of my senior footy," Toua said.

"Link (McKenzie) tried me at 13, [he] thought it was somewhere I could have a little point of difference but I had the conversation with Rich and I'm really happy to be at the back and trained all preseason there, and feel more comfortable there."

The Port Moresby-born Toua impressed at full-back in the Reds' opening trial match against the Chiefs in Toowoomba earlier this month, creating havoc in the outside channels in the 31-20 win over the defending Super Rugby champions.

He is expected to be a favoured target for the wide passing game of Reds fly half Quade Cooper and admits he will not shy away from looking for counter-attacking opportunities should they present themselves against the Brumbies.

"My first action is to run but in different situations you need to do different things," he said.

"So I just like to play on instinct rather than have a pre-planned idea."

Toua expecting high-ball treatment from Brumbies

Toua should get a numerous chances to run the ball on Saturday night, with the Brumbies possessing a smart tactical kicking game piloted by Matt Toomua, Nic White and Jesse Mogg.

He knows he is likely to come in for a bit of attention but warned the Brumbies they would need to nail their kicking game so as not to give the Reds back three of himself, Lachie Turner and Dom Shipperley a chance to test the home side's defence.

My first action is to run but in different situations you need to do different things.

Aidan Toua

"I've been practising my high balls all week, I expect to receive a lot of kick returns," Toua said.

"We've got plans in place, we've got guys back there to nullify their game and really try and put them off on Saturday."

Graham has expressed confidence in Toua's ability to perform at full-back, highlighting it was not an overnight idea to hand him the responsibility.

"I've probably had in my mind for the past 12 months really, based on what I've seen of him previously albeit in small lots," he said.

"But the key to Aidan is to work hard and improve all aspects of his game and he's doing that."

Meanwhile, Graham has opted for a centre pairing of Mike Harris and Ben Tapuai to face the Brumbies, with Anthony Fainga'a lacking of match fitness due to having a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season.

Fainga'a has been named on the bench alongside powerful three-quarter Chris Feauai-Sautia, who Graham confirmed will be brought on in the back end of the match.